Control device



June 24, 1958 z o 2,839,945

CONTROL DEVICE Filed Feb. 13, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A/SOA/ Z/0/v 96 B3 W5 TOR/1097f B. ZION CONTROL DEVICE June 24, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1957 INVENTOR.

United States Patent CONTROL DEVICE Benson Zion, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application February 13, 1957, Serial No. 639,883

9 Claims. (Cl. 74-473 This invention relates generally to controls, and is especially concerned with manual control devices for use in'controlling mechanisms having a plurality of operative and/ or inoperative conditions.

While the present invention has been primarily developed for use in conjunction with automotive transmissions and other automotive mechanisms, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the device is capable of use in many diverse applications, electrical as well as mechanical, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein, so that the following detailed description is intended as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a manual control device wherein a single element may be' quickly and easily manipulated to place the controlled mechanism or mechanisms in any of a plurality of desired conditions. Moreover, the control device of the present invention is admirably well suited for substantially effortless, one-hand operation, and may be very rapidly learned by unskilled persons with a minimum of instruction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely well adapted for foolproof operation entirely by touch or feel, rather than requiring visual attention, so that user need not be diverted from other operations, and cannot erroneously perceive the condition of the mechanism being controlled.

It is still another object .of the present invention to provide a control device of the type described, wherein a single such device is capable of use in conjunction with a plurality of mechanisms to be controlled in selective relation with respect to each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a control device having the novel features mentioned hereinbefore, which is simple and durable in construction,

foolproof and reliablein operation, and which can be apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists" in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

'In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, sectional elevational view, partly broken away to conserve space, showing a control device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 1

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4' of Figure l;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view, partly broken away, showing a pair of cooperating elements of the control device of Figure I, removed from the latter;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are partial, transverse sectional views taken substantially along the lines 66, 7-7, and 8-8, respectively, in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a partial, transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a longitudinal, sectional elevational view similar to Figure l, but showing a slightly modified form of control device constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure'll is a partial, horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figure 1 thereof, the control device there illustrated includes a supporting structure, generally designated 20, which is secured by a mounting member 21 to the rear of a control panel or wall 22.

More particularly, the supporting structure 20 may include a horizontally elongate housing 25 having bottom and top walls 26 and 27, vertical side walls 28 and 29 extending between the bottom and top walls, and front and rear end walls 30 and 31. In addition, a pair of generally vertical, forwardly and rearwardly spaced partitions 32 and 33 may be fixedly positioned interiorly of the housing. The mounting body 21 may be defined by a block-like member fixedly secured at its rear to the front housing wall 30 and at its front to the control panel'or wall 22. In addition, a boss 35 projects forward from the mounting block 21 through the control panel; and, the mounting block is formed with a through hole or bore 36 opening between the front and rear sides of the wall 22.

An elongate, operating member or shaft 39 is arranged longitudinally within the housing 25, having its front end 40 projecting through an opening 41 in the front housing wall 30, and having its rear end 42 projecting through an opening 43 in the front partition wall 32 and terminatand on one side of the groove 45 approximately one quadrant circumaxially of the shaft, and an additional branch groove 47 extending from the front end of the main groove, approximately one quadrant circumaxially of the shaft on the opposite side as groove 46. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the grooved configuration including the longitudinal groove or portion 45, and oppositely extending partially circumaxial grooves or pet'- tions 46. and 47 define a guideway or track on the shaft 39. In addition, the grooving 45, 46. and 47 may be provided at selected locations therein with a plurality of rccesses'or indentations of greater depth, as at 48, 49 and 50 spaced along the longitudinal groove 45, and as at 51 and 52 in the branch grooves 46 and 47, respectively. i

'A' conically tapered pin or spindle 55 projects axially rearward from the rear end of shaft 39 and terminates forward of the rear partition 33. On the front end portion. 40 of the shaft 39 is fixed a manual gripping member or knob 56, as: by a pin or bolt 57; and, the knob 56 isv mounting body 21 and may include an enlarged portion or head 58 forward of the mounting body and panel 22.

Fixedly secured between the front housing wall 30 and partition 32, as by fasteners 60. and 61, is a casing or support bracket 62 which mounts a. spring pressed guide, pin or detent 63. That is, the pin or guide 63 extends from the bracket 62 radially inward toward the shaft 39, being resiliently and. yieldably biasedtoward the latter by a compression spring 64 or other suitable means, see Figure 7. The guide pin 63 has its free end engaged in the track or guideway 45, 46, 47, and thereby constrainsthe shaft 39 to a predetermined longitudinal and rotatable mobility defined by the guideway, wherein the shaft is longitudinally shiftable between positions with the guide pin 63 engaging in opposite ends of the longitudinal groove portion 45-, andtrotatable in opposite directions with the guide pint engaging in groove portions 46 and 47, respectively Further, rotation of the shaft is limited to the longitudinal shaft positions defined by the locations of the grooved portions 46. and 47. Of course, the recesses or indentations 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 each serve to receive and releasably hold the free end of the guide pin63 against inadvertent movement outof a respective position of the shaft; Thus, the recessed guideway or track portions define means for releasably holding the shaft in a selected position of its permitted movement.

An elongate intermediate or connecting member 67 is arranged rearward of and in end-to-end longitudinally extending relation with respect to the rearward end portion 42 ofshaft 39,, and has its opposite ends extending slidably 'and nonrotatably through openings 68 and 69 in the rear partition 33 and rear housing wall 31, respectively. The elongate, intermediate member 67 may be of noncircular. cross. section and. extends. conformably through the openings 68 and 69 so as to be mounted for longitudinal movement but restrained against rotation.

In theforwardend of the intermediate member 67 may be formed an opening or bore 70 rotatably receiving the rearwardly projecting pin or spindle 55 of the shaft 39, while the rearward end of the intermediate member is connected by any suitable coupling 71 to a mechanism to bc'controlled (notshown). The controlled mechanism may be an automotive transmission or other. device responsive to longitudinal shifting movement of the inter.- mediate connecting member 67.

Circumposedabout the rear end portion 42 of the shaft 39, between. the partitions 32 and 33, andlproject ing generally radially from the shaft, is a cam member or plate 74.. As best seen in Figures 3 and 5, the cam plate 74 islgenerally of disclike configuration, having a generally circular peripheral cam surface 73 which is provided on somewhat less than one quadrant of its circumference with a slightly projecting surface portion 75.

The cam plate'74 is further formed with a central through opening 76 circumscribed by an. annular collar 77, and a cam slot 78 extending approximately90 at a constant radial distance from the shaft 39 and continuing from one end along a slot portion 79 of less than 90 which decreases in. its radial distance from the shaft toward the terminal endof the. latter slot portion. The. cam plate 74 is fixedly circumposed about the shaft end portion 42 by means of a set screw 80 extending radially in through. the collar 77 into. engagement with the shaft. On the rearward side of the cam plate 74, generally normal to and projecting rearward from the cam plate, are a pair of aligned plate-like ears or cam actuating members 81 and 82 disposed in diametrically opposed relation with respect to the shaft 39 and terminating at their rearward edges slightly beyond the rear 'end surface of the shaft.

A cammed receiver member 85, best seen in Figure is of generally disc-like configuration, and provided with a generally central, through opening 86, of noncircular shape conformably receiving the front end' por- 7 tion of the noncircular connecting member 67. That is,

the receiver 85 is nonrotatably and fixedly circumposed about the forward end of the intermediate or connecting member 67, in confronting relation with respect to the rear side of the cam plate 74. On the forward side of the receiver member 85 in diametrically opposed quadrants thereof, are providedarcuate wedge-like members 187 and 88 which respectively define spirally inclined cammed surfaces 89 and 90 facing generally forward toward the cam plate 74. Located between the cammed surfaces 89 and 90 are opposed quadrants of the receiver member having generally flat and coplanar surfaces 91 and 92, normal to the aligned axes of shaft 39 and intermediate member 67. Each of the spiralling cammed surfaces 89 and 90 is formed with a plurality of holding indentations or recesses at circumaxially spaced locations. In the illustrated embodiment, see Figure 4, each of the cammed surfaces 89 and 90 is provided with 3 such holding indentations, namely 93, 94 and 95 on surface 89, and 96, 97 and 98 on surface 90. it will be observed in Figure 4 that all of such holding indentations extend radially with respect to the axis of the shaft 39, thereby defining grooves, and it will appear presently that the grooves of each cammed surface 89 and 90 are adapted to selectively receive the rear edge of a respective. one of said actuator ears 81' and 82. As the grooves or holding recesses of each spirally cammed surface. 89 and90 are located at circumaxially spaced points, it will be appreciated that such grooves are spaced axially of the elongate member 67.

Acoil compression spring 101 is circumposcd about the shaft 39 located between and having its opposite-ends adjacent to the partition wall 32 and cam plate 74, while an additional coil compression spring 102 is circumposed about the connector member 67 located between and having its opposite ends adjacent to the receivermemberv 85 and partition wall 33. The springs 101 and 102 thus combine to urge the cam plate 74 and receiver mem ber 85 toward each other and maintain the rearwanded'ge of actuator cars 81 and 82 in engagement withthe receiver member. Further, the springs 101 and 102 are selected of such strength that the shaft 39 and connector 1 member 68 may be manually shifted longitudinallyand releasably retained in a selected position of movement by the detent 63 engaging in the track or guideway 45, 46, 47.

complish the above mentioned functions, and further permit rotation. of the cam plate 74 along with shaft 39, without undue frictional resistance. fricitonal resistance, a washer or annular plate 103 of bearing material, may be interposed between the spring 101 and forward side of the cam plate.

Mounted in a wall of the housing 25 adjacent to the cam plate 74, say in the bottom housing wall 26, is a camfollower mechanism generally designated 104 which includes an upstanding generally U-shaped member 105 having its legs extending generally radially inward toward the shaft 39 on opposite sides of the cam plate 74. The

legs of the U-shaped member 105 extend inward slidably through an opening 106 in the bottom housing wall 26, and further inward slidably through a stabilizing or guide member 107 fixed interiorly of the bottom wall. Exteriorly of the bottom wall and fixedly secured thereto is an enclosure or cap108' which receives the bight portion of the U-shaped member 105, and is provided with an opening 109 slidably receiving a cable or shank 110 projecting from the member 105 externally of the enclosure. It will now be appreciated that the U-shaped member 105 is substantially constrained to movement radially with respect to the shaft 39 and connector member 67, with its legs on opposite. sides of the cam plate 74.

A follower bar or rod 111 extends slidably through the. cam slot 78, 79 of, the plate. 74 and has its opposite ends fixedly secured to respective legs of the U-shaped'.

In practice, the springs 101 and102 arerelatively soft and of approximately equal constants-so as toac--' To minimize thismember 105, whereby the U-shaped member is. actuated to move radially inward and outward in response to rotation of the cam plate. More specifically, radially inward and outward movement of the U-shaped member 105 is effected by rotation of the cam plate 74 with the shaft 39 when the follower rod 111 is received in the slot portion 79, while movement of the U-shaped member is prevented When the follower rod is received in the major portion of the cam slot 78, as the latter extends at a constant radius about the axis of shaft 39. It will be appreciated that the rod or cable 110 may be operatively connected to an additional mechanism (not shown) to be actuated through the cam slot 78, 79 and follower means 104 in response to rotation of the shaft 39. Further, it will be understood that longitudinal shifting of the shaft 39 will not effect a change in position of the follower means 104 as the follower rod 111 extends longitudinally of shaft 39 and is slidably received in the cam slot 78, 79. The follower mechanism 104 is particularly well adapted for operative connection to the par mechanism of an automotive transmission.

Located in another wall of the housing 25, say the top wall 27, adjacent to the cam plate 74, is another cam operated mechanism 115, which may take the form of a normally 'open electric switch. In the illustrated embodiment, an electric switch ofthe limit type may be connected to the electric circuitof the starter mechanism, as by conductors 116, and normally maintains the starter circuit open unless the switch button 117 is sufiiciently depressed. As is apparent in Figures 1 and 3, the switch 115 is located with its switch button 117 contiguous to and facing toward the peripheral edge or cammed surface 73 of the cam plate 74 when the latter is in the illustrated position. However, the switch 115 is not closed until the projecting cam surface 75 is rotated against the switch button, the latter thereby serving as a cam follower to close the starter circuit only when the shaft 39 is in a predetermined longitudinal and angular position.

While it is believed that operation of the control device of Figures l-9 may be well understood from the preceding detailed description, a further description of the operation in toto may be helpful. p

In the illustrated positions of Figures 1 and 3, the pin 63 is located medially of the longitudinal track portion 45, as in the holding recess 49, which may correspond to a neutral position of the transmission. From this position, the shaft 39 may be rotated by manipulation of the knob 56 in the single direction permitted by engagement of the guide pin 63 in circumaxialtrack portion 46. Upon rotation of the shaft 39 approximately 90, the guide 63 will be releasably held in the holding recess 51 of track portion 46. In this position of shaft 39, the cam plate 74 has been rotated approximately, but less than 90 counterclockwise, as seen in Figure 3. The follower 104 has thereby been shifted radially inward through the action of cam slot portion 79, tolock the transmission in what is generally called a par condition. Also, switch button 117 has been depressed upward by the enlarged or projecting cammed surface portion 75 so as to close the starter circuit. it is therefore only with the trans mission in par or neutral that the engine can'b'e started.

After the automotive engine has been started, the" knob 26 may be rotated to return the shaft 39 toits illustrated position, in which the transmission is in neutral and unlocked or out of park. As thestarte r circuit is closed by the cam surface 75, obviously the engine cannot be started when the transmission is in gear, but only when in neutral and park.

The knob 56 may then be manually pulled forward to longitudinally shift the shaft 39 forward so that the guide 63 is received and releasably held in the rearward holding recess 48 of longitudinal track portion 45. As the springs 101 and 102 maintain the actuator ears oi" members 81 and 82 with their rear edges against the receiver member 85, the former spring will be compressed by forward shaft movement, and the latter spring expands to effect forward longitudinal movement of intermediate or connecting member 67. Through the coupling 71, this forward shifting movement of shaft 39' and'connector 67 shifts the transmission into its reverse condition,

By pushing the knob 56 rearward until the guide 63 is received in the holding recess 50 of longitudinal trackportion 45, the connector 67 will be shifted rearward and effect movement of the coupling 71 to shift the transmission into forward or drive condition. In this posi-. tion, the spring 102 will compress and the spring 101 expand, both springs cooperating to'maintain the rear edges of actuator members 81 and 82 against the receiver member 85. To vary the forward or drive condition of the transmission, say from high to low, the, operator may rotate the kno'b56 in the single direction permitted by reception of guide 63 in branch track' portion 47. Such rotation is without longitudinal movement of the shaft 39 and effects rising of the rear edges of actuator members 81 and 82 on the cammed surfaces 88 and 90. The receiver member 85, and consequently the connector members 67 are thereby shifted rearward proportionately to the rotation of knob 56, which motion istransferred to the transmission by coupling 71. By engagement of the rear edges of actuator members 81 and 82 in 'a selected opposed pair of recesses or grooves 93 and 96, 94 and 97, 0r'95 and 98, the shaft 39 willbe releasably'held in a selected position of rotation, and the connector member 67 maintained in a corresponding position of longitudinal shifting movement. Of course, the grooves or holding recesses correspond to different forward speeds, as does rotation of the knob 56. v i In Figures 10 and ll are shown a slightly modified form of control device, wherein a fixed supporting structure, generally designated 20a, includes a generally horizontal housing 25a, and a mounting body or block 21a fixedly secured to and mounting the housing on a control panel or wall 22a.

The housing 25a includes generally vertically disposed front and rear walls 30a and31a, and a fixed intermediate.

vertical wall or partition 32a parallel to and spaced between the front and rear walls. The mounting block 21a and control panel or wall 22a may be considered the same as mounting block 21 and control panel 22 of the first described embodiment.

A generally horizontally disposed elongate member or shaft 3.9a is arranged longitudinally within and extends through and beyond opposite end wallsof the housing 25a. More specifically, thev shaft 39aextends slida'bly and rotatably through openings 41a, 43a and 69a, provided respectively in the .walls 30a, 32a and 31a. The shaft 39a is thus mounted for longitudinal and axially rotatable movement.

movement and generally axial rotation, and fixedly se-, cured to the forward end .of shaft 39a for movement therewith, while a coupling 71a rearward of the housing 25a is rotatably connected to the rearward end of the shaft 39a so as to be movable longitudinally with the shaft and rotatable relative to the latter. The coupling7la may be connected :by suitable means to anyv desired mechanism adapted to be operated by push-pull action, such 'as an automotive transmission (not shown).

Provided on an intermediate region of the shaft 39a, between the wall 30a and 32a, is a configuration of grooving including a longitudinally extending main, grooved portion 450, and a circumaxial branch or grooved portion 46a extending partially about the shaft from an intermediate point on the groove portion 45a and normal thereto. The configuration of grooving also includes a branch groove 47a extending partially circumaxially from a forward region of the main groove portion 45a, and preferably helically or oblique to the shaft axis. The configura A knob 56a is received in -.the' mounting block 21a for forward and rearward shifting;

tion of grooving 4'5a,46i1, 47a may be provided with a plurality of spaced, holding indentations or recesses, as at 48a, 49a and 50a along the main groove portion 45a, 51a on the intermediate branch groove portion 46a, and 52a and 53 at spaced locations along the oblique or hellcally extending branch groove portion 47a. In a manner similar to that described hereinbefore in connection with Figures 1 9; and as will be described in" greater detail hereinafter, the configuration of groovin 45a, 415a, 47a operates to provide a track or guideway on the shaft 39a.

Fixedly .secured in the housing a extending between the walls a and 32a is a mounting bracket or casing 62a substantially the same as bracket 62 in Figure l. A guide, pin' o'r detent 63a is mounted in the bracket 62a for movement' radially inward and outward with respect to the shaft 39a, and is' resiliently biased radially inward by 'a compression spring 6421, allin -substantially the same manspectively' forward or rearward, thereby riding out of the notch 128l'oftheyieldably resilient follower 127 and permitting the latter to move radially inward and release the brake mechanism. 7

,An important feature of the embodiment illustrated in Figures lO'and 11 is the elimination of the actuator ears 81 and 82', and receivermember 85 of the first described embodiment. Longitudinal movement of the shaft 39a corresponding to the longitudinal shifting movement of connector member 67 while in forward or drive position is obtained by the provision of the helical or oblique groove portion 47a. That is, engagement of the pin 63a in the groove portion 47a constrains the shaft 39a to a simultaneous.longitudinal and rotary motion. The longiner as the guide 63. and spring 64. Further, the guide.

63a engages inthe trackor 'guideway a; 46a, 47a to constrain the shaft to 'afpred'etermined' longitudinal and rotational mobility defined by the configuration of the guideway. Also, the holdingrecesses 48a, 49a, 50a, 51a,

52a' and 53'releasa'bly receive the pin 63a to releasably retain'the shaft in a variety of selected positions.

Fixedly circump'os'ed' about the shaft 39a, between the housing walls 32a and 312:,isacam plateT4a. which may be of the same constructionas cam platef74, but with the elimination of actuating ears or plates 81' and 82. Cooperating with the 'cam' plate 74a is a cam follower mechanism 104a which may be identical to the follower mechanism 104 and cooperate with the cam plate 74a in. the sarne'manner as the latter follower mechanism. cooperates with cam plate-74. In addition, a switch or other mechanism a may be mounted in a wall of the'ho'using 45a in cooperatingrelation. with the peripheral cam surface of cam plate 74a, in the same manner as the switch mechanism 115 and its associated cam plate 74.

In Figure ll,it will be, seen that an additional follower,

mechanism, generally designated 125, is mounted ininside wall of the. housinglSah and includes an elongate rod or ally injward and outward relative to. the shaft 39a. On,

the inner end of the pin or rod 126 is a cammed follower member 127 having a central recess or groove 128. adapted to receive the peripheral edge of cam plate 74a. Spring means 129 are connected between the follower member 127 andthe housing 25 to urge the. follower and rod 126 radiallyinward; while a stop collar 130 is providedi on the rod 126 exterior-1y of the housing to limit: inward movement of the rod The outerend' of the rod. 26 may be advantageously; connected to a vehicie r-brake mechanism so as to released-he brake. only when'i the cam plate 7411' is shiftedlongitudinally of the shaft 39a out ofthe follower'notch 128 and out of contact with the -memher 127. This permits radially inward movement of the pin 126to' its limitingffp'osition. with the stop collar 130 engagingthe housing2'5zi. Of course, a mechanismother than therbrake may beconnected to the follower means- 125, if desired. Also, the follower means may 74 of the first-describedembodiment. I

Operation of the, embodiment of Figures :10.- and ll is very similar to that of'the. first described form of .theinvention. The illustratedlposition of. Figures, IO and 11 may be considered as clorresponding to the neutral conequa-lly well" be employed; in conjunction. with the. cam

dition of the transmission. lnthis' position, the/starter circuit may be closed and the transmission placed in park." condition, as described. in connection with; Figures 1-9. Further, the mechanism 125 is held in operative or braking condition by. the cam plate. 74 whenthe shaft 39 is in neutral position. Upon longitudinal shifting movement of the shaft 39,forward-to a-reverse condition tudinaljpart of this motion is transmitted to the coupling 71a, and in turn imparted to the automotive transmission or other mechanism being controlled From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a manual control device which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well adapted to the practical. conditions of manufacture and use.

. Although the present invention has been described in some detail by Way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit ofthe invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1.. A control device comprising. an elongate member mounted for both longitudinal movement and rotation abouta longitudinal axis, said elongate member being provided with a guideway of a selected configuration extending both longitudinally and at least partially about said elongate member, one end of said elongate member being adapted for operative connection to a mechanism to be controlled by longitudinal movement of said elongate member, a hand grip on. said elongatemember adjacent to the other end thereof for manually moving said elongate member, constraining. means mounted for cooperating engagement with said guideway to limit said elongate member to a predetermined longitudinal and rotative mobility defined by saidguideway, a cammed element carried by said elongate. member for movement with the latter, and cam follower means mounted for engagement to beactuated by rotation of said elongate member.

3. A, control device comprising an elongate member mounted: for both longitudinal movement and rotation about. a longitudinal axis, said elongate member being provided with a. guideway of a selected. configuration ex tending both, longitudinally and at least partially about said elongate member, one end of said elongate member beingadapted. for operative connectionto a mechanism to be controlled by longitudinal movement of said elongate member, a hand 'gripon said elongate member adjacent to the other end thereof for manually moving said elongatemember, constraining means mounted for cooperating engagement with said guideway to limit said elongate; member to a predetermined longitudinal and rotative mobility defined by said guideway, a connector member located contiguous to said one end of said elongatemember between the latter and said first mentioned mechanism and mounted for movement longitudinallyof said elongate-member, and cooperating cam and: follower means on said. elongate and connector members for effcctingmovement of the latter longitudinally of the former upon rotation thereof.

4. A control device according to claim 3, in combination with resilient means yieldably and resiliently maintaining said cam and follower means in engagement with each other.

5. A control device comprising a fixed supporting structure, a shaft mounted in said structure for longitudinal movement and generally axial rotation, said shaft being provided intermediate its ends with a track including portions respectively extending longitudinally at least partially circumaxially with respect to said shaft, one end of said shaft being adatped for operative connection to a mechanism to be controlled by longitudinal movement of said shaft, a hand grip on the other end of said shaft for manually moving the latter, a guide mounted in said supporting structure for engagement with said track to constrain said shaft to a predetermined longitudinal and generally axially rotatable mobility defined by said track, a cam plate projecting generally radially from said shaft for movement with the latter and having a cam surface provided thereon, and cam follower means movably mounted in said supporting structure for engagement with said cam surface and adapted for operative connection to an additional mechanism to be controlled, whereby said additional mechanism is controlled by movement of said cam plate With said shaft.

6. A control device according to claim 5, said cam plate having its cam surface extending at least partially circumaxially of said shaft, and said cam follower means being mounted in said supporting structure for movement generally radially of said shaft for actuation by rotation of the latter.

7. A control device comprising a fixed supporting structure, a shaft mounted in said structure for longitudinal and generally axial rotation, said shaft being provided intermediate its ends with a track including portions extending longitudinally and at least partially circumaxially with respect to said shaft, a hand grip on one end of said shaft for manually moving the latter, a guide mounted in said supporting structure in engagement with said track to constrain said shaft to a predetermined longitudinal and generally axially rotatable mobility defined by said track, an elongate member arranged contiguous to and in end-to-end relation with respect to the other end of said shaft and mounted in said supporting structure for longitudinal movement, said elongate member having its end remote from said shaft adapted for operative connection to a mechanism to be controlled by longitudinal movement of said shaft, and cooperating cam and actuator means on the adjacent ends of said shaft and elongate member for effecting longitudinal movement of the latter upon rotation of said shaft.

8. A control device according to claim 7, in combination with resilient means yieldably and resiliently urging said shaft and elongate member toward each other to maintain said cam and actuator means in cooperating engagement.

9. A control device for an automotive transmission having reverse, neutral and forward positions, said device comprising a shaft mounted for both longitudinal movement and rotation about a longitudinal axis, one end of said shaft being adapted for operative connection to said automotive transmission to shift the latter between its various positions by longitudinal movement of said shaft, a hand grip on said shaft adjacent to the other end thereof for manually moving said shaft, said shaft being provided with a guideway of selected configuration extending both longitudinally of and at least partially about said shaft, a guide mounted in cooperating engagement with said guideway to limit said shaft to a predetermined longitudinal and rotative mobility defined by said guideway, said guideway being provided with holding means for releasably retaining said guide at certain locations of its configuration corresponding to respective positions of said transmission, whereby said transmission is releasably retained at any selected one of its positions by said holding means, and a cam member projecting generally radially from said shaft for movement therewith and having a cammed surface extending at least partially circumaxially about said shaft for operative connection to an auxiliary automotive mechanism, whereby said auxiliary automotive mechanism is adapted to be operated by rotation of said shaft as constrained by said predetermined mobility.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,580,877 Barber Apr. 13, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 753,239 France Oct. 11, 1933 853,852 France Mar. 30, 1940 

